2016 Apple Festival Postponed until October 7-9

Updated Apple Festival flyer

​NEW - 09/29/2016 Update

• Highway 171 is now open from Richland Center to Mount Sterling. However, caution should be used on Highway 171 east of Gays Mills due to damage caused by the heavy rains and flooding. 
• A sign posted by the Wisconsin DOT east of Richland Center on Highway 14 that indicates that Highway 14 is closed (at Readstown) is causing confusion with travelers trying to navigate their way to the orchards. ​If you are traveling from MADISON, please take Highway 14 from Richland Center to Boaz and then connect with Highway 171 west. This route will take you along the Orchard Ridge to Gays Mills. 
• If you are traveling from Prairie du Chien, please take Highway 27 north to Mount Sterling and connect with Highway 141 east into Gays Mills.

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​09/22/2016 Update

• Due to recent flooding in and around the village of Gays Mills, the 2016 Apple Festival has been postponed until the weekend of October 7-9, 2016.
• Festival events will take place at the same times as schedule with Saturday, September 24th events taking place on Saturday, October 8th, and Sunday, September 25th events taking place on Sunday, October 9th. Additionally, the Flea Market scheduled for Friday, September 23rd will take place on Friday, October 7th. ​
• Area apple orchards will be open this weekend (September 24-25) and can be reached via the following alternative routes:
  • Orchards located east of Gays Mills on Highway 171, aka Orchard Ridge, are accessible from Highway 61.
  • Orchards located west of Gays Mills on Highway 171 can be reached from either Highway 35 or Highway 27 from the direction of Prairie du Chien. 

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Welcome to Gays Mills

The Village of Gays Mills lies in a valley among the steeply chiseled bluffs of the Ocooch Mountains located in the heart of the region known as the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin. The area’s unique topography is the result of escaping the land-flattening glaciers of the last ice age some 10,000 years ago, thereby earning the “Driftless” designation. Gays Mills also sits along the banks of the Kickapoo River which winds its way through the valley and gives the land its ambiance and appeal. The river also carried the area’s first explorers and lured the first inhabitants.

Upcoming Events

Community Photos

Wednesday Afternoons (May through October)

• Gays Mills Farmers Market

September 17, 2016

• Kickapoo BRAVE Bicycle Ride

October 7-9, 2016

• 58th Annual Apple Festival 

May 12-14, 2017

• Annual Spring Festival​

View the Village Calendar

Connect Socially

Follow @GaysMills on Twitter

Frequently Asked Questions

Fall Colors Viewing

• The trees in the Kickapoo Valley begin turning color in mid-September. Depending on the year, this may occur earlier or later. Check back here for updates on the foliage. 

Apple Blossom Viewing

• Each May, the apple blossoms begin and can be visible by driving the highways around the orchards. Some years, the apple trees bloom as early as late April or as last as early June. Check back here for updates on the bloom.